Regardless of the Realists and liberals at the Iraq Study Group -- and the forest-missing microwarriors and isolationists now populating the conservative movement -- defeating al-Qaeda is an important but very minor goal. The true war for survival of the West, the GWOT, will be vision battling vision for the soul of Mankind: and either Islam or Individualism will win.

Americanism, by whatever name, is the only ideology ready to hand that we can export to counter the death-cult of militant jihadism and win the war for the soul of the world. We mustn't be afraid to shove raw, naked Americanism down the throats of the rest of the world... it's the physic for the pathogen of jihad.

All right, we know what to do and why we need to do it; but how do we do it? How can we "shove raw, naked Americanism down the throats of the rest of the world?"

Let's start with the fundamentals. I have always thought that the best way to teach any subject, from civics to calculus, is to take a historical approach: things happen for reasons; seeing the historical progression makes it a lot easier to understand what we do and why it works (or doesn't work).

Take affirmative action. You can't understand why it's a controversy, why we're even talking about it, without knowing about Jim Crow laws; and you can't understand those without first learning about Reconstruction; and for that, you need to know about the Civil War; and understanding the Civil War requires an examination of slavery; and that takes us all the way back to the Constitutional Convention and the great compromise.

What do foreigners learn about us by this? They learn that we really take seriously the concept of all people being equal under the law; that we have struggled to lift everyone up; that sometimes we go to far trying to help the underdog and need to get back to first principles. And in subtext, it shows how freedom of speech really works, that we're free to criticize the government, and how a real dialog can develop because of this freedom.

In other words, to show the truth about America -- hence Americanism -- we must teach American history to the rest of the world... most of which is woefully ignorant of the subject. (So are most Americans; but believe me, as little as our citizens know about our own history, people in Japan and Italy -- let alone in Iraq and Yemen -- know even less.)

But how can we teach American history to people who live in foreign countries? Must we invade and conquer their school systems, assuming they even have any? Fortunately, there is an easier way...

Television has become the universal language of the world. Even villages in remote locations often have access to a television (perhaps only one in the chief's hut); and certainly most people who live in cities, even in Islamic countries, have TVs. So the idea here would be for the United States to disseminate programming that teaches American history.

Often, the real history is very much at odds with what jihadist or totalitarian governments tell their people about the "Great Satan;" so why would any of these countries allow such broadcasts? The answer is that they wouldn't... so we do it without their consent -- and if they don't like it, too damn bad. Part of fighting a war of ideas is that we cannot be fastidious about the "sovereign right" of nations to malign us and suppress the truth about America's astonishing contribution to the world.

Shortly before Thanksgiving, a reader of the Anniston Star wrote this in a letter to the editor:

The next time you feel doubts about the direction of this country, remember this:

The only two defining forces that have ever been willing to die for you are: (1) Jesus Christ and (2) the American soldier! One died for your soul and the other for your freedom -- even to read this!

I don't know if this is original with James W. Anderson from Talladega, Alabama (Vietnam 1967-68), or if he heard or read it somewhere; but I'm happy to give him credit until another claimant comes along. It's an amazing insight, no matter who originated it... and one that virtually nobody outside the United States really understands. So no pussyfooting.

There are several nuts-and-bolts considerations for this project:

The shows themselves cannot be dry, academic productions; we can make a signal available, but we obviously cannot force people to watch it.

Now, there's no way that a documentary produced by the State Department could be anything but video death... so we need to hire real professional writers, directors, and producers instead. Better yet, a wealth of such shows has already been produced, from documentaries like the Day the Universe Changed and the Adams Chronicles to movies like Gettysburg and the Patriot. We could go a long way just broadcasting these excellent productions.

We cannot rely on people speaking English well enough to be able to follow such movies and television series; they must be translated and dubbed.

And by translated, I mean into every language necessary to spread Americanism throughout the world, from Polish to Croatian to Arabic to Pashtun to Farsi to Nubian, and so forth. This must be treated as a major national-security program -- with money and manpower to match. I'd like to see the XVOA (eXtreme Voice of America) funded as well as NASA is ($20 billion), or at least the National Science Foundation ($5½ billion).

In addition, we need to find native speakers of each of these languages, preferably with acting experience, for dubbing. For obscure languages that are hard to find here (not that many, with the number of immigrants we have from everywhere!) we may need to find native speakers and train them to act. As with Bullwinkle and Rocky, each actor may need to play multiple voices.

And we need to pay top dollar... so that aspiring actors are attracted to this project even with the competition.

We need to put people on the task of finding every possible way to disseminate these dubbed programs everywhere in the world.

Buying a channel (or several) on every satellite TV system is just the beginning; we also need to find a way around governments that go around smashing satellite receivers and jamming transmissions. If necessary (and I think it often is), we should take out jamming stations in enemy countries with cruise missiles. Let 'em scream... what are they going to do about it, declare war on us?

What we're talking about is not just Voice of America, but a super-sized, hyperthyroid, 24/7 American history and propaganda machine. Our biggest worry is the Democrats, who may decide this is the perfect venue to spread anti-Americanism faster than ever before; for this reason, I suggest keeping the XVOA in the hands of the Administration, which is much less likely than Congress to be overtly hostile to the country, even if a Democrat is elected.

Every aspect of American history illuminates one or more elements of Americanism, showing where we came from, what we've gone through, and who we really are. This would do far more for our image in the world (including the ummah) than sending billions to Bangladesh the next time they have a flood (that would be next rainy season) or to Thailand the next time they have a Tsunami (that would be next earthquake season): even when we do that, the local governments lie to the people and tell them all the rescue efforts and food and medical aid came from themselves, not from us.

It would do much more to spread Americanism than would tens of billions spent on foreign aid -- nearly all of which goes to dictators who, again, disburse it as if it came from their own pockets.

And it would be far more effective countering jihadism than the haphazard mix of "American" soft-core porn movies and TV jiggle shows -- from American Pie to Baywatch to Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold -- that inundate the world, showing the worst aspects of America exaggerated beyond all reason by Hollywood's addiction to sensationalism. (At least, it would show them that we have a better side.)

Visual imagery is powerful, and movies already influence people everywhere. Why shouldn't America, which invented motion pictures and is the most relentless purveyor of them, be able to use them more effectively than jihadis to "sell" our ideology?

This is just the first cut; does any of you have other ideas for spreading the ideology of individualism, freedom, and capitalism?

Hatched by Dafydd on this day, December 5, 2006, at the time of 5:16 AM

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Dafydd, Are you old enough to remember the late 50's and early 60's, when the U.S. was admired 'round the world? Our early television shows were great PR tools. Roy Rogers and Annie Oakley were based on good vs. evil, with enough excitement and animals to interest kids everywhere. Later, the producers of Leave It To Beaver and Ozzie & Harriet, intentionally included moral lessons in their episodes, while portraying the ideal American families to the rest of the world. How refreshing it would be to return to the days when Americans openly and unashamedly exported to the world what is good and right and just.

I'm not quite old enough; but through the miracle of TCM, TV-Land, and DVDs, I have watched quite a few of them.

My all-time favorite TV show, from when I was a little kid watching it in mid-afternoon rerun, is Zorro; I have all of the episodes on videotape, and I'm planning to transfer them to DVD.

I also have several of the Wonderful World of Disney serials: Andy Burnett, Davy Crockett, Swamp Fox, the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh; and others I've watched but didn't like enough to tape, including Texas John Slaughter. (Of course I also have the four hour-long Zorro shows from WWoD.)

The other day, I invited a friend of mine over to watch some movies, and when I rattled off a few suggestions, she asked, "don't you ever watch anything that was made after you were born?"

good idea, but it will take time to get moving. I suggest we also have the digital equivalent of the marines -- something like Schoolhouse Rock. Animation, maybe with subtitles by Babelfish. Quick little YouTubish things that can be compressed and snuck under the radar. I'd help with that ;-)

Capitalism is taught better by doing than watching. A few useful things we could do:

1. Additional support for third-world microloan programs through tax incentives for Americans to donate to them.

2. Removing tariff barriers, import quotas, and other regulations so new businesses in the 3rd world can sell to the American market.

3. Turn a blind eye to violations of American intellectual property used to create new products (ie, prosecute DVD copiers, but tolerate gadgets that violate our patents and music with soundtrack samples).

4. Reduce domestic subsidies for businesses that could be better done overseas (okay, now I'm having a pipedream).

Why shouldn't America, which invented motion pictures and is the most relentless purveyor of them, be able to use them more effectively than jihadis to "sell" our ideology?

While your premise is honorable, competition for such an endeavor would come from the Hollywierd Left, who surely would accuse you of distortion and propaganda. (In their "view", propagating values that honor this great nation is NOT profitable or marketable)

While I grew up watching Zoro and the "good vs evil" programs, (even the Honeymooners would tackle the conscience of right and wrong and the consequence's of their actions),our pc crowd, that preaches diversity while stifling free speech with any who they dissagree with, will scream to the high heavens that anything produced with the perception of "American Good" must be backed by "our evil government", and there-for all Boooosh's fault.

"How can we shove raw, naked Americanism down the throats of the rest of the world?"

Well, my friend. That is already happening. Every day. But that is not the problem.

People have a good versus evil thing ingrained in their brains Back when the Soviet Union was around, we were good, they were evil. When the Soviet Union collapsed...

Look, think about sports. How many times have you seen the Yankees win? Ever find youself rooting against the Yankees just because...you want to see someone else to win for a change? You feel the Yankees have so much money they just buy their success? That they expect to win every time? I have nothing against New York or the Yankees, but I always root against them. For some reason I like seeing them humbled. Arrogance brought low.

We are the Yankees in the current world zeitgeist.

You have to understand, everything about America is threatening to the Muslum world. Our military power. Our freedoms. Or economy. Our ability to get along with all religons peacefully. Or promiscunous. Our consumption of forbidden things. We threaten them at every level - public and personal. We are the goliath. They will cheer every David and every rock thrown.

I'm not sure how this plays out. How do the Yankees stop being hated? I don't think it is by airing documentaries about the greatness of Babe Ruth and Lou Gerhig. Perhaps when they become perennial losers. Or when every other team becomes just like the Yankees. Otherwise they just have to live with it.

What might change our situation is for the Muslum world to face utter hopelessness. A belief that their cause/culture is in utter ruins. Right now oil money papers over all the flaws in their societies. It funds a continuing belief that something can be done, that there is an alternative to American style life.

Well, I posted a comment in your first post - thinking I was posting it here. Duh.
I'm not with Rovin - yes, he's pessimistic and I understand that. I have been ever since the election. And with Bolton resigning it hasn't become brighter. But there's a silver lining in your thoughts here dafydd. I think this could work but I don't have a clue on getting traction.

So I'll repeat - what next?:)

The above hissed in response by: madconductor at December 5, 2006 5:53 PM

competition for such an endeavor would come from the Hollywierd Left, who surely would accuse you of distortion and propaganda.

They already do that, don't they? I get downright tired of all the "FoxNews is just propaganda!" "Conservative conspiracy!" "It's all lies!" screeching I keep running across all over the web. This blog is a breath of fresh air to me - just found it this week, browsing Wikipedia's blog celebrities section and found a name I recognized (from my Star Trek novel collection...*cough*;)

Visual imagery is powerful, and movies already influence people everywhere.

Of course it is - that's why Hollywood has been using it for years to push their anti-American, anti-Christian, Socialist agenda. They've made massive inroads (along with the education system), which is *why*

At least half (probably much higher) of America has converted to Socialism,

I may just be a stubborn individualist, but I hardly trust the government to push back against the Hollywood crowd that so often funds their campaigns. For this to work, it has to be the people. Fortunately, the technology has reached the point that the people *can* produce decent A/V entertainment, though it still takes more money than the average person has available. A coalition of likeminded individuals could do the production and initial distribution - the cruise missles are a bit out of the average citizen's league, though;)

"How can we shove raw, naked Americanism down the throats of the rest of the world?"

Well, my friend. That is already happening. Every day. But that is not the problem.

I disagree. American *commerce* is spreading all over the world because our economy and technology enables it. Your analogy is flawed; we are not trying to compete with the other nations, but rather we wish to be allowed to exist without oppression from others. American *culture* is not aggressively spread because of its very nature.

There are arrogant and short-sighted travelers who react badly to other cultures as if they ought to behave like America, but the average American is more concerned with "getting along peacefully" than with converting others to the American philosophy of "live and let live." Classical Americanism holds that when someone tries to prevent us from living our lives, they need to be stopped however necessary. It's only recently, with the socialist invasion of the schools and media, that we seem to be expected to simply accept these attempts to force us to live by someone else's philosophy. "Live and let live" doesn't mean we have to be doormats.

So I'll repeat - what next?:)

We start organizing independent A/V productions? As far as I can tell, the biggest obstacle there is money. There are people who can do the work if someone can raise the money.

(sorry to get so long-winded; maybe I should have just posted it on my own blog and linked back)

The above hissed in response by: Chrystalline at December 6, 2006 12:09 AM

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